McGee rejoins Warriors for NBA minimum

Javale McGee waves to fans during the Juglife Javale McGee Celebrity Softball Game in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland on Saturday, June 24, 2017.

Javale McGee waves to fans during the Juglife Javale McGee Celebrity Softball Game in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland on Saturday, June 24, 2017.

Photo: Nicole Boliaux, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee high-fives fans during the championship parade in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee high-fives fans during the championship parade in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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Stephen Curry (30) and JaVale McGee (1) share a laugh at the end of practice before the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. less

Stephen Curry (30) and JaVale McGee (1) share a laugh at the end of practice before the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee dunks in 3rd quarter against Portland Trail Blazers' C.J. McCollum in Game 3 of NBA Western Conference 1st Round Playoffs at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. less

Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee dunks in 3rd quarter against Portland Trail Blazers' C.J. McCollum in Game 3 of NBA Western Conference 1st Round Playoffs at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, ... more

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee and Patrick McCaw fight San Antonio Spurs' David Lee for position in the first quarter during Game 2 of the 2017 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Oracle Arena on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. less

Golden State Warriors' JaVale McGee and Patrick McCaw fight San Antonio Spurs' David Lee for position in the first quarter during Game 2 of the 2017 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Oracle Arena on ... more

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Javale McGee hoists the Larry O'Brien trophy at the Golden State Warriors victory rally in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

Javale McGee hoists the Larry O'Brien trophy at the Golden State Warriors victory rally in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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The Warriors spent big in the offseason in hopes of successfully defending the NBA crown this time around. Here's a look at the significant moves the team has made to keep the roster's core intact while adding key role players. Click the individual player names for full reports on signings. less

The Warriors spent big in the offseason in hopes of successfully defending the NBA crown this time around. Here's a look at the significant moves the team has made to keep the roster's core intact while adding ... more

For years Curry was one of the best bargains in the NBA. Now he's the highest paid player in league history. The former MVP's signing, combined with the big names that follow should keep the Warriors competitive for several years of that contract.

Last year's top free-agent prize will reportedly take a pay cut to make another run at the title with The Warriors. Durant reportedly left money on the table to help the team restock elsewhere on the roster.

The Warriors spent $3.5 million to jump into the second round and select Bell out of Oregon. The defensive standout in college was considered a steal by many analysts. he's now get the chance to learn from Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green.

Center JaVale McGee has agreed to re-sign with the Warriors on a one-year deal, a source has confirmed to The Chronicle.

Golden State, which is already deep into the luxury tax, could offer McGee only a minimum contract worth $2.1 million. Nearly four weeks into free agency, he decided to prioritize another shot at a championship over the chance at a more lucrative deal.

In addition to receiving interest from the Suns and Heat, McGee, 29, reportedly met with the Clippers and Kings. His return gives the Warriors the maximum of 15 players under contract for next season and rounds out their center rotation.

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Last summer, after the departures of Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli and Marreese Speights left it with few prototypical interior defenders, Golden State took a chance on the man who once had thrived in Denver for George Karl’s pace-and-space system.

On a team stocked with elite shooters and passers, McGee’s knack for catching lobs added another dimension to the league’s most prolific offense. Opponents were so concerned about Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson that they often left McGee a direct route to the rim. He took more than 300 shots for the first time since the 2012-13 season, and his 65.2 percent shooting from the field was a career high.

Per 36 minutes, McGee averaged 23 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. His most dominant performance came in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against Portland, when he was 7-for-7 from the field and became the first player in postseason history to have at least 15 points and four blocks in less than 15 minutes.